Large 7 segment display for Neopixel LED strip (175 mm)

New Version: 

I was unhappy with many available models for oversized 7 segment displays. They mainly lacked the slant or looked overly simplified compared to commonly found LED and LCD displays. Furthermore I wanted to experiment with different diffusion arrangements on the light guides. This design is based on WS2812 LED strips with a ~16.6 mm spacing on the LEDs I had in my drawer of parts. Four LEDs per segment / 1 LED per dot on the colon is used.

This model is excellently suited for use as a clock or any kind of status display that uses numerics exclusively. It started life as an idea for a 3D printer status display for my two currently used printers but quickly evolved towards a clock once I realized how huge it would actually be.

The light guides can be printed in-place in the main case, or, as I would recommend, printed separately and then press-fit in.

The modules are 140x190x23 mm in size, with a character height of 175 mm.

Colors:

I have found the following combination to work excellently, with my preferred brand of Sunly PLA Plus filament, assuming 0.2 mm layer height (including first layer):

Housing parts: Black PLA

Light guides: two layers of grey, one layer of transparent, two layers of white, rest in white

This gives a superior viewing contrast compared to printing the light guides in all-white, making them stand out from the housing when lit. This is also closer to commercially available LED modules.

Wiring: 
The segment arrangement differs a little from the typical a..g sequence to make wiring of the LEDs easier. The easiest sequence is as follows: g-f-a-b-c-d-e starting from the right side of segment g, making a spiral turn over the incoming wires. 

When wiring many modules in series, I recommend routing power through the g segment, not attaching it to the end of the e segment. This will make in-line resistance less of a concern and its effects a bit less noticeable.